Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Lawrence M Brown

Henry Skoog

Fred R Radwanski

Frances Wynn Mayfield

Craig Farrell Thomaschefsky

Terry R Cleveland

Craig F Thomaschefsky

Frances W Mayfield

A three-dimensional hydraulically entangled nonwoven composite structure made of nonwoven fibrous web and a fibrous material integrated in the nonwoven fibrous web by hydraulic entanglement is disclosed. The nonwoven composite structure has a greater ability to maintain an embossed pattern when wet and has the ability for the structure to recover after it has been compressed, to a greater degree than previously found. Also disclosed is a method of making an embossed hydraulically entangled nonwoven composite fabric.

Embossed nonwoven fabric

A nonwoven fabric includes a first composite layer that includes from about 50% to about 90% by weight non-thermoplastic absorbent staple fibers and from about 10% to about 50% by weight thermoplastic fibers. A preponderance of the fibers at a first outer surface of the first composite layer comprise non-thermoplastic absorbent staple fibers and a preponderance of the fibers at a second outer surface of the first composite layer comprise thermoplastic fibers. The nonwoven fabric further includes a second composite layer that includes from about 50% to about 90% by weight non-thermoplastic absorbent staple fibers and from about 10% to about 50% by weight thermoplastic fibers. The second composite layer is adjacent the second outer surface of the first composite layer. The nonwoven fabric further includes bonded regions wherein a portion of the thermoplastic fibers of the first composite layer are fused to a portion of the thermoplastic fibers of the second composite layer, and further wherein the bonded regions have a plurality of contiguous voids.

Multi-layer nonwoven fabric

The present invention desirably provides a fabric including a synthetic fiber structure first zone, a synthetic fiber structure second zone, and a short fiber third zone. The first zone may include a spunbond web layer and a meltblown web layer. The synthetic fiber structure second zone may be positioned proximate to the synthetic fiber structure first zone and the short fiber third zone may be positioned substantially between the first and second zones. Desirably, the first and second zones are entwined.

Method for making a hydraulically entangled composite fabric

Fabric

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Roswell, GA, United States of America

Lawrence M Brown